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Coordinates: 25°25′46″N 49°37′19″E / 25.42944°N 49.62194°E / 25.42944; 49.62194

This article refers to the traditional region of Al-Ahsa. For the current Saudi Arabian administrative unit sometimes called Al-Hasa, see: Al-Ahsa Governorate. For other uses see Al-Ahsa.

Al-Ahsa, sometimes Al-Hasa, El Hasa, or Hadjar (Arabic: الأحساء‎ al-Aḥsāʾ, locally al-Ḥasāʾ; Turkish: Lahsa) is a traditional oasis region in eastern Saudi Arabia whose name is used by the Al-Ahsa Governorate, which makes up much of that country's Eastern Province. The oasis is located about 60 km inland from the Persian Gulf.

Al-Ahsa is part of the region known historically as Al-Bahrayn, which includes the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula down to the borders of Oman, and also includes the island of Awal (modern-day Bahrain).

Al-Hasa contains one of the largest concentrations of Shia Muslims in predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia.

Al-Hasa

Al-Hasa in Saudi Arabia

General Information[link]

In Al-Ahsa city there are:

1. a local airport
2. a train station
3. Two amusement parks
4. Two international schools
5. Two universities
6. many community colleges

Main Cities and villages[link]

• Al Hofuf: capital city and has lots of traditional markets.
• Al Mubarraz: large city with many big markets.
• Al-Omran: Comprises more than 15 villages and well known for the intensive number of farms.
• Shaybah: oil town in the Empty Quarter.
• More than 50 Villages.

Productions[link]

1. Oil production and agriculture are the main economic activities.
2. The Ghawar Field is the largest oil field in the world.
3. Agriculture includes rice, corn, citrus and other fruits.
4. Livestock raising of thousands of sheep, goats, and camels.
5. 15 major poultry farms producing approximately 100 million eggs a year.
6. the most popular farm in alhasa is regarding to gardens of

Agriculture[link]

• 10,000 hectares of agricultural lands
• 21,000 tons of dates annually
• more than 30,000 farms producing fruits and vegetables
• more that 2 million palm trees

History[link]

Al-Ahsa has been inhabited since prehistoric times, due to its abundance of water in an otherwise arid region.^{[citation needed]} Natural fresh-water springs have surfaced at oases in the region for millennia, encouraging human habitation and agricultural efforts (date palm cultivation especially) since prehistoric times. Recently, Al-Ahsa Oasis has nominated as one of the seven wonders of the world.

Its early history is similar to that of the eastern Arabian historical region of Bahrain. In 899 A.D., the region came under the control of the Qarmatian leader, Abu Tahir Al-Jannabi,^[1] and was declared independent from the Abbasid caliphate of Baghdad. Its capital was at al-Mu'miniya near modern Hofuf. In 1077, the Qarmatian state of Al-Ahsa was overthrown by the Uyunids. Al Ahsa subsequently fell under the rule of the Bahrani dynasty of the Usfurids, followed by their relatives, the Jabrids, who became one of the most formidable powers in the region, retaking the islands of Bahrain from the princes of Hormuz. The last Jabrid ruler of Bahrain was Muqrin ibn Zamil.

In 1521, the Portuguese Empire conquered the Awal Islands (the islands that comprise present day Bahrain) from the Jabrid ruler Migrin ibn Zamil, who fell strongly in battle.^[2] The Jabrids struggled to maintain their position on the mainland in the face of the Ottomans and their tribal allies, the Muntafiq. In 1550, Al-Ahsa and nearby Qatif came under suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire of Suleiman I.^[3] Al-Ahsa was nominally the Eyalet of Lahsa in the Ottoman administrative system, but in reality was usually only a vassal of the Porte. Qatif was later lost to the Portuguese.

The Ottomans were expelled from Al-Ahsa in 1670,^[3] and the region came under the rule of the chiefs of Banu Khalid tribe.

Al-Ahsa, along with Qatif, was incorporated into the Wahhabist First Saudi State in 1795, but returned to nominal Ottoman control in 1818 with an invasion ordered by Muhammad Ali of Egypt. The Banu Khalid were again installed as rulers of the region but, in 1830, the Second Saudi State re-took the region.

Direct Ottoman rule was restored in 1871,^[3] and Al-Ahsa was placed first under Baghdad Vilayet and with Baghdad's subdivision Basra Vilayet in 1875. In 1913, Ibn Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, annexed Al-Ahsa and Qatif into his domain of Najd.^[4]

On December 2, 1922, Percy Zachariah Cox officially notified Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Ahmad Al Sabah that Kuwait's borders had been modified.^[5] Earlier that year, Major John More, the British representative in Kuwait, had met with Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia to settle the border issue between Kuwait and Najd. The result of the meeting was the Uqair Protocol of 1922, in which Britain recognized Ibn Saud's sovereignty over territories claimed by the emir of Kuwait.

In 1938, petroleum deposits were discovered near Dammam,^[6][7] resulting in the rapid modernization of the region. By the early 1960s, production levels reached 1 million barrels (160,000 m³) per day.

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Map of Arabia in 1923 showing al-Hasa
• Presentation about Al-Hasa
• Tor Eigeland, 1970, The Twice-Used Water, Saudi Aramco World
• Jon Mandaville, 1974, Al-Hasa: Outpost of Empire, Saudi Aramco World
• [1]

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There are many people in history who are commonly appended with the phrase "the Great", or who were called that or an equivalent phrase in their own language. Other languages have their own suffixes such as e Bozorg and e azam in Persian and Urdu respectively.

In Persia, the title "the Great" at first seems to be a colloquial version of the Old Persian title "Great King". This title was first used by the conqueror Cyrus II of Persia.^[1]

The Persian title was inherited by Alexander III of Macedon (336–323 BC) when he conquered the Persian Empire, and the epithet "Great" eventually became personally associated with him. The first reference (in a comedy by Plautus)^[2] assumes that everyone knew who "Alexander the Great" was; however, there is no earlier evidence that Alexander III of Macedon was called "the Great".

The early Seleucid kings, who succeeded Alexander in Persia, used "Great King" in local documents, but the title was most notably used for Antiochus the Great (223–187 BC).

Later rulers and commanders began to use the epithet "the Great" as a personal name, like the Roman general Pompey. Others received the surname retrospectively, like the Carthaginian Hanno and the Indian emperor Ashoka the Great. Once the surname gained currency, it was also used as an honorific surname for people without political careers, like the philosopher Albert the Great.

As there are no objective criteria for "greatness", the persistence of later generations in using the designation greatly varies. For example, Louis XIV of France was often referred to as "The Great" in his lifetime but is rarely called such nowadays, while Frederick II of Prussia is still called "The Great". A later Hohenzollern - Wilhelm I - was often called "The Great" in the time of his grandson Wilhelm II, but rarely later.

Rulers[link]

• Abbas I of Persia (1571–1629), Shah of Iran
• Akbar (1542–1605), ruler of the Mughal Empire of South Asia, mainly India
• Alain I of Albret (1440–1522), French aristocrat
• Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), King of Macedonia, Persia, Greece, Egypt, and all of Mesopotamia
• Alexander I of Georgia (1386–1446), King of Georgia
• Alfonso III of León (c. 848-910), King of León, Galicia and Asturias
• Alfred the Great (848/849-899), King of Wessex
• Antiochus III the Great (c. 241–187 BC), ruler of the Seleucid Empire
• Ashoka the Great (c. 304–232 BC), Indian emperor of the Maurya dynasty
• Ashot I of Iberia “the Great”(died 826/830), presiding prince of Iberia (modern Georgia),
• Askia Mohammad I (c. 1442–1538), ruler of the Songhai Empire
• Bhumibol Adulyadej (born 1927), King of Thailand
• Bolesław I Chrobry (967-1025), sometimes called "the Great", first King of Poland
• Bruno the Great (925–965), Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Lotharingia (also listed in the following section)
• Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (1736–1809), founder and ruler of the Rattanakosin Kingdom (in what is now Thailand)
• Cnut the Great (c. 985 or 995-1035), King of Denmark, England, Norway and parts of Sweden
• Casimir III the Great (1310–1370), King of Poland
• Catherine the Great (1729–1796), Empress of Russia
• Chandragupta II (reigned 375-413/415), also known as Vikramaditya, ruler of the Gupta empire in India
• Charlemagne (died 814), King of the Franks and Emperor of the Romans
• Chulalongkorn (1853–1910), King of Siam (now Thailand)
• Chlothar II (584-629), King of Neustria and King of the Franks
• Conrad, Margrave of Meissen (c. 1097-1157), Margrave of Meissen
• Constantine I (c. 272-337), Roman emperor
• Cyaxares the Great (c. 625-585 BC), third king of Media
• Cyrus the Great (c. 600 BC or 576 BC–530 BC), founder and ruler of the Persian or Achaemenid Empire
• Darius the Great (550 – 486 BC), third ruler of the Persian Empire
• Devapala (died 850), ruler of the Pala Empire in the Indian subcontinent
• Dionysius I, Greek tyrant of Syracuse^[3]
• Ferdinand I of León and Castile (c. 1015–1065), King of León and Count of Castile
• Frederick the Great (1712–1786), King of Prussia
• Genghis Khan (1162?-1227), founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire
• Gero (c. 900–965), ruler of Marca Geronis, a very large march in Europe
• Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden (1594–1632), King of Sweden, founder of the Swedish Empire, and noted military leader
• Gwanggaeto the Great, King of Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea^[4][5]
• Hanno the Great, the name of three leaders of Carthage, in the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd centuries BC
• Henry I, Duke of Burgundy (946–1002)
• Henry IV of France (1553–1610), King of France and King of Navarre
• Herod the Great (73/74 BC-4 BC), King of Judea
• Hugh the Great (898-956), Duke of the Franks and Count of Paris
• Hugh Magnus of France (1007–1025), co-King of France
• Hugh I, Count of Vermandois (1057–1101)
• Humphrey I de Bohun (died c. 1123), Anglo-Norman aristocrat
• Ivan III of Russia (1440–1505), Tsar of Russia
• John I of Portugal (1358–1433), King of Portugal and the Algarve
• John II of Aragon (1398–1479), King of Aragon and, through his wife, King of Navarre
• Justinian I (483-565), Byzantine Emperor
• Kamehameha I (c. 1758-1819), first King of Hawai'i
• Kanishka (died c. 127), ruler of the Kushan Empire in Central Asia and parts of India
• Kvirike III of Kakheti (1010–1029), King of Kakheti in eastern Georgia
• Kublai Khan (1215–1294), Mongol ruler in the 13th century and Emperor of China; founder of the Yuan Dynasty
• Llywelyn the Great (c. 1172–1240), Prince of Gwynedd and de facto ruler of most of Wales
• Louis I of Hungary (1326–1382), King of Hungary, Croatia and Poland
• Mangrai the Great (1238–1317), Lanna, northern Thailand
• Emperor Meiji (1852–1912), Emperor of Japan
• Mircea I of Wallachia (1355–1418)
• Mithridates II of Parthia (died 88 BC), ruler of the Parthian Empire (in present day Iran)
• Mithridates VI of Pontus (134 BC–63 BC), ruler of Pontus and the Bosporan Kingdom
• Mstislav I of Kiev (1076–1132), Grand Prince of Kievan Rus
• Naresuan (1555–1605), King of Ayutthaya
• Narai (1633–1688), King of Ayutthaya (in what is now modern Thailand)
• Odo the Great (died c. 735), Duke of Aquitaine
• Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor (912-973)
• K'inich Janaab' Pakal (603-683), ruler of the Mayan city-state of Palenque
• Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa (1123–1186), King of Sri Lanka
• Peter Krešimir IV of Croatia (died 1075), King of Croatia
• Peter the Great (1672–1725), Tsar of Russia
• Peter III of Aragon (1239–1285), King of Aragon and King of Sicily
• Pompey (106 BC-48 BC), military and political leader of the late Roman Republic, rival of Julius Caesar
• Radama I (1793–1828), first king of greater Madagascar
• Raja Raja Chola I (c. 947-1014), Indian emperor of the Cholas.^[6][7][8]
• Rajendra Chola I (reigned 1014–1044), Tamil King of India
• Ramesses II (reigned 1279 BC – 1213 BC), considered the greatest pharaoh of Ancient Egypt
• Ram Khamhaeng (around 1237 to 1247-1298), King of Sukhothai (in present day Thailand)
• Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona (1082–1131), also Count of Provence and various other counties
• Rhodri the Great (c. 820–878), King of Gwynedd (in present day Wales)
• Roman the Great (after 1160-1205), Grand Prince of Kiev
• Saladin (c. 1138-1193), Kurdish Sultan of Egypt and Syria, founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, and victor over the Crusaders
• Samudragupta (c. 335–375), ruler of the Gupta empire in the Indian subcontinent
• Sancho III of Navarre (c. 992-1035), King of Kingdom of Navarre
• Sargon of Akkad (died c. 2215 BC), ruler of the Akkadian Empire
• Sejong the Great (1397–1450), Korean king^[9]
• Shapur II (309-379), king of the Sassanid Empire, Persia
• Simeon I of Bulgaria (864/865-927), ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire
• Stephen III of Moldavia (1433–1504), Prince of Moldavia (Romania)
• Stephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia (c. 1308-1355), King of Serbia and Emperor of the Serbs and Greeks
• Taksin (1734–1782), King of the Thonburi Kingdom (Thailand)
• Tamar (1160-1123), Queen of the Georgian Empire
• Timur (1336–1405), better known as Tamerlane, founder of the Timurid Dynasty
• Theobald II, Count of Champagne (1090–1151), Count of Blois and of Chartres as Theobald IV, Count of Champagne and of Brie
• Theodoric the Great (454-526), King of the Ostrogoths, regent of the Visigoths and a viceroy of the Byzantine Empire
• Theodosius I (347-395), Roman emperor
• Tigranes the Great (140-55 BC), Emperor of Armenia
• Tiridates III of Armenia (285-339), King of Armenia
• Umar (c. 586 to 590–644), second caliph of the Muslim Empire
• Valdemar I of Denmark (1131–1182), King of Denmark
• Valentinian I (364-375), Roman Emperor
• Vladimir I of Kiev (c. 958-1015), ruler of Kievan Rus
• Vytautas (c. 1350-1430), archduke of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy
• William I, Count of Burgundy (1020–1087), Count of Burgandy and Mâcon
• William V, Duke of Aquitaine (969-1030), also Count of Poitou
• Xerxes I (519-465 BC), King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire (Persia)
• Yu the Great (c. 2200-2100 BC), legendary ruler in ancient China

Religious figures[link]

• Abraham the Great of Kashkar (ca. 492-586), monk and saint of the Assyrian Church of the East
• Abraham Kidunaia (died c. 366, hermit, priest, and Christian saint of Mesopotamia
• Albertus Magnus (1193/1206–1280), medieval German philosopher and theologian
• Anthony the Great (c. 251–356), early Christian saint of Egypt
• Babai the Great (c. 551–628), Assyrian church leader
• Basil of Caesarea (330-379), Greek bishop and theologian
• Bruno the Great (925–965), Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Lotharingia (also listed in the previous section)
• Euthymius the Great (377-473), abbot and Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox saint
• Gertrude the Great (1256-c. 1302), German Benedictine, mystic, theologian and Roman Catholic saint
• Pope Gregory I (c. 540-604)
• Hiyya the Great, 3rd-century rabbi, Palestine
• Pope John Paul II (1920–2005)
• Pope Leo I (c. 391 or 400-461)
• Macarius of Egypt (c. 300-391), Egyptian hermit
• Pope Nicholas I (c. 800-867)
• Photius I of Constantinople (c. 810–c. 893), Eastern Orthodox saint and Patriarch of Constantinople
• William of Maleval (died 1157), founder of the Catholic congregation of Williamites

Other[link]

• Beli Mawr, a figure in medieval Welsh literature and genealogies
• Emmy the Great, folk singer
• Matteo Rosso the Great, Roman politician and father of Pope Nicholas III
• Prokop the Great, Hussite general in Bohemia

See also[link]

• Epithet
• List of monarchs by nickname
• List of nicknames of European Royalty and Nobility: G-I
• James, son of Zebedee, also known as James the Greater, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus
• Ajax (mythology), called Ajax the Greater
• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, whose common honorific "Mahatma" means "Great Soul"

Notes[link]

Mohammad Asif
محمد آصف

Personal information
Full name	Mohammad Asif
Born	(1982-12-20) 20 December 1982 (age 29) Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Batting style	Left handed
Bowling style	Right arm fast medium
Role	Bowler
International information
National side	Pakistan
Test debut (cap 184)	2 January 2005 v Australia
Last Test	26 August 2010 v England
ODI debut (cap 154)	21 December 2005 v England
Last ODI	21 June 2010 v Bangladesh
Career statistics
Competition	Test	ODI	T20I
Matches	22	38	11
Runs scored	140	34	9
Batting average	6.55	3.77	7.38
100s/50s	0/0	0/0	0/0
Top score	29	6	5*
Balls bowled	4,997	1,941	257
Wickets	105	46	13
Bowling average	23.18	33.13	26.38
5 wickets in innings	7	0	0
10 wickets in match	1	0	0
Best bowling	6/41	3/28	4/18
Catches/stumpings	3/–	5/–	3/–
Source: Cricinfo, 21 August 2010

This article contains Urdu text, written from right to left with some letters joined. Without proper rendering support, you may see unjoined letters or other symbols instead of Urdu script.

Mohammad Asif (Urdu: محمد آصف, born 20 December 1982) is a Pakistani right-arm fast medium bowler in cricket. Asif was born in Sheikhupura, and has played first-class cricket for Khan Research Labs, the National Bank, Quetta, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Leicestershire. He made his Test match debut for the Pakistan cricket team against Australia in January 2005.

On 20 July 2010, Asif was ranked second leading Test bowler, just behind Dale Steyn.^[1]

In 2006, there was a cricket controversy involving Asif, after he tested positive for anabolic steroid, Nandrolone, before having a ban imposed on him overturned on appeal. He was later withdrawn from Pakistan's World Cup squad with an unrelated injury. Further cricket controversy followed when he was detained in Dubai suspected of having drugs on his person and was then found to have tested positive for a banned substance during the Indian Premier League. In August 2010 he was accused by the News of the World of deliberately bowling no-balls in return for payment from a betting syndicate.^[2] On 5 February 2011 a 3-man tribunal, appointed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave the verdict that he was to be banned for 7 years, with 2 of those suspended if no further offences were committed. In November 2011, Asif was convicted, along with Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir, of conspiracy charges relating to spot-fixing. On 3 November 2011, Asif was given a one-year prison sentence for his role in the scandal.

Cricket career[link]

After impressing in domestic Pakistani cricket, Asif was fast tracked into the Pakistan test squad and made his first appearance against Australia in January 2005. He bowled 18 overs without taking a wicket and Australia won by 9 wickets.

Asif was subsequently dropped from the side but returned a year later in January 2006 for the home tour against India. In the second Test, Asif bowled 34 overs and took the wicket of Yuvraj Singh. It was the third Test in Karachi, however, where Asif would make headlines. After a poor batting display by Pakistan, Asif took 4 for 78 in the first innings, including the wickets of V. V. S. Laxman, Rahul Dravid and, once again, Yuvraj Singh, to help Pakistan take a six-run lead. Asif returned in the second innings with three clean bowled wickets of Virender Sehwag, Laxman, and Sachin Tendulkar to lead Pakistan to victory. His series against the Indians was blighted by a fine imposed by match referee Chris Broad for over-appealing and premature celebration of a wicket.^[3] The ODI series that followed this Pakistan lost 4–1 to India.

Asif followed up his match-winning efforts against India in Pakistan's next tour in Sri Lanka, where he took a career-best 11 for 71 in the 2nd Test, in another dramatic come-from-behind victory.

In November 2005, Leicestershire announced the signing of Asif for the 2006 season after he had played a game for their second XI in 2004. Leicestershire's chairman Neil Davidson described him as a "bowler with the ability to generate great pace".^[4] Asif did relatively well picking up 25 wickets in 7 first class games before leaving to join the Pakistan squad for their tour of England. Asif was due to line up again with Leicestershire for the 2007 season but due to injury problems was asked not to play by the PCB^[5]

Asif missed the first three Tests in Pakistan's tour to England in the summer of 2006, but returned to the side for the fourth Test and immediately made an impact, picking up four wickets (Andrew Strauss, Alistair Cook, Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen) in the first innings at the Oval, and another in the second (Marcus Trescothick).

Asif bowls Pietersen for a duck

He made history when he became the first bowler to bowl a maiden over in Twenty20 cricket. In fact he managed to pick up two wickets during that over, first of Kevin Pietersen for a golden duck and then of Andrew Strauss, also without scoring.

A lot was made of the duel between Asif and Pietersen in matches between them. Asif enjoyed success against Pietersen having taken his wicket five times, with three of those dismissals coming from the first ball without scoring.

Asif claimed 19 wickets abroad in Pakistan's test series against South Africa in 2007. This feat lifted him to eighth in the LG ICC Test player rankings after only nine appearances – equalling the record for the fewest matches taken by a Pakistan bowler to reach the top 10, shared by Waqar Younis and Pervez Sajjad.^[6]

Following the 2–1 test series loss against South Africa, Pakistan captain Inzamam-Ul-Haq praised Asif's performance, "Asif has immaculate length control and a natural ability to swing the ball both ways. He is also quick to spot a weakness in batsmen and work on it."^[7] Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer added, "He [Asif] is a modern-day fast bowler based on the likes of [Shaun] Pollock and [Glenn] McGrath. He gives you control and has the ability to hit the seam and make the ball move both ways. In Pakistan terms he is more Sarfraz Nawaz than Imran Khan.^[8]

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan agreed with the assessment of Asif's progress, saying: "Asif is well on his way to become one of the greats. If he gains a little bit of pace through weight training he can be more lethal."^[7]

In August 2007, he joined the Indian Premier League (IPL)^[9] He was subsequently drafted by the Delhi DareDevils for US $650,000. In the week before the 2007 Twenty20 world cup match in South Africa, Shoaib Akhtar was rumoured to have hit Asif with a bat, leaving a bruise on his left thigh. According to sources, the two were involved in a dressing room spat which resulted in Asif being struck by a bat on his left thigh. Sources said the fight between the two started after Asif and Shahid Afridi disagreed with Shoaib that he shared the same stature as Imran Khan in Pakistan cricket and even ridiculed him for making such a comparison.^[10] The injury was not thought to be anything more serious than a bruise but a team investigation into the matter was pending.^[11] After the initial inquiry, it would found that Shoaib was at fault and he was subsequently recalled from the Twenty20 World Cup squad^[12] and was sent home.^[13] He was also banned for 5 matches by the PCB and a lifetime ban may also seem imminent.^[14] Akhtar later claimed that Afridi was responsible for the fight, saying "He made some ill remarks about my family. And I could not tolerate them"^[15] Afridi however, denied these allegations adding that Asif would have suffered more injuries but for his intervention.^[15] Even Asif chipped in saying that Shoaib was lying and that "Shahid Afridi had nothing to do with the fight." saying that "he has not apologised to me. "^[16]

In July 2010, during Pakistan's tour to England, Mohammad Asif took his 100th test wicket, dismissing Alastair Cook in only 20 matches.

Conversely, Asif jointly holds the Test record with five consecutive ducks, an unfortunate honour he shares with Bob Holland and Ajit Agarkar.^[17]

Spot fixing scandal and seven-year ban (2010–present)[link]

In August 2010, the English Sunday newspaper News of the World published allegations that Asif and fellow bowler Mohammad Amir had deliberately bowled no-balls during Pakistan's 2010 tour of England in return for payment from a betting syndicate, a practice known as spot-fixing.^[2]

On 1 September 2010, after the warm-up List A game between Pakistan and Somerset, the International Cricket Council announced that they had suspended Asif under the provision of the provisions of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Code. The statement from the ICC stated that the three players (Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt) were charged "under various offences under Article 2 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code for Players and Player Support Personnel relating to alleged irregular behaviour during, and in relation to, the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's last month".^[18]

After filing his appeal against the suspension he withdrew it stating that he wanted the Scotland Yard investigation to be completed before he files an appeal against his ban as he knows what the charges levelled against him are^[19] In December Salman Butt one of the three cricketers implicated along with Asif and Amir announced that he wanted his hearing to be delayed because he wanted the Scotland Yard investigation to be completed first. Asif and Amir stated they would not take part in the teleconference involving Butt for requesting the delay in the hearing because they wanted their decisions to happen quickly so that they could be selected in Pakistan's provisional world cup squad^[20]

On 5 February 2011, the tribunal's decision was handed down. Asif was found guilty of deliberately bowling no-balls, and was banned from the sport of cricket for seven years, the last two of which were suspended should no further offences take place, and Asif take part in a Pakistani Cricket Board anti-corruption program.^[21]

On 1 November 2011, Asif was convicted at Southwark Crown Court, along with Amir and Butt, of conspiracy to cheat at gambling and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments.^[22]

On 3 May 2012, Asif completed his punishment and released from Canterbury jail, England.

Performance-enhancing drugs[link]

On 16 October 2006, Asif was suspended by the PCB along with team mate Shoaib Akhtar, and was pulled from the Champions Trophy^[23] after the pair failed drug tests for the performance-enhancing substance Nandrolone.^[24]

England batsman Andrew Strauss said the news had rocked cricket. Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, he said: "When drugs are used in any sport it is not a great day for that sport and this not a great day for cricket."^[25]

On 1 November 2006, the PCB handed down a two-year suspension to Shoaib Akhtar and a one-year suspension to Asif, banning them from professional cricket for the duration.^[26] Both Asif and Shoaib have been added to Pakistan Olympic Association list of doping offenders.^[27] The tribunal set to investigate steroid use revealed that Asif had been using a protein supplement, Promax-50.^[28] The panel had reported to have shown a degree of leniency to Asif as they believe that he did not understand what he was taking and stopped at the request of the physiotherapist. Both Akhtar and Asif appealed against the ban. A second tribunal was formed. On 5 December both were acquitted by the tribunal appointed to review their drug ban appeal. The decision was made two to one with Hasib Ahsan and Justice Fakhruddin Ebrahim in favour of the acquittal. Statement by Justice Ebrahim: "This appeal committee [therefore] holds that Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will not be deemed to have committed a doping offence," Ibrahim said. "The ban and punishment imposed by the earlier tribunal is hereby set aside as being contrary to the provision of laws."

However, the WADA, World Anti-Doping Agency was unhappy with the decision^[29] and was to challenge the decision to lift the bans on the fast bowlers, and taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.^[30] The ICC, cricket's world governing body, has supported the WADA appeal adding that it was committed to a dope free game.^[31]

On 6 December 2006, Asif spoke out in his defence in an interview with the BBC. When asked to explain the presence of Nandrolone in his body, Asif cited a lack of awareness in Asian countries and said that he had taken some vitamins and protein supplements during the team's 2006 tour of England, which led to the problem. He also mentioned that medicines are easier to obtain in Pakistan, with little information available about the quality of the medicines.^[32]

On 1 March 2007, Akhtar and Asif were ruled out of the Pakistani squad for the 2007 Cricket World Cup by team officials, minutes before the squad was to depart for the West Indies. The team management along with the PCB said their injuries were too severe to risk taking them to the Caribbean. Since neither of the two had been declared fit they had not undergone official doping tests. However, Pakistani officials told cricket sources off the record that the team management had feared that they would fail the doping tests as it was likely traces of Nandrolone were still present in their system.^[33]

However, on 2 July 2007, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later dropped the case, ruling it had no jurisdiction to challenge the decision made by PCB.^[34][35]

On 1 June 2008, Asif was detained at Dubai International Airport on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs.^[36][37] An unknown substance was found in Asif's wallet, and was sent for analysis along with a sample of Asif's urine. The PCB appointed a legal counsel to represent Asif, and sent a senior board official to Dubai to handle the case.^[38] Asif was withdrawn from Pakistan's squad for the upcoming tri-series in Bangladesh and replaced by newcomer Sohail Khan.^[39]

On 19 June 2008, the charges against Asif were dropped by the Dubai public prosecutor due to "insignificance." The prosecutor, Mohammad Al Nuaimi, was quoted as saying, "It is definite that he committed the crime as he was caught red-handed ... however in certain cases and for a faster litigation process the Public Prosecution drops a case due to insignificance and deports the suspect."He was banned from entering UAE ever again.^[40] Asif returned to Pakistan the following day and thanked those who had aided his release, he also stated, "I did not use any banned substance. During the Indian Premier League, I underwent two doping tests, and cleared both of them...If I had been tested positive, the ICC would not have cleared me."^[41] His alleged aiders include the Pakistani actress, Veena Malik, who recently claimed that Asif has not returned her loan amounting to PKR 13 million, which was used for his release.^[42]

In July 2008, soon after his return to Pakistan from Dubai, the IPL revealed that a player had tested positive for banned substances during the tournament and on 14 July, it was revealed that the player in question was Asif.

Asif protested his innocence,^[43] and his lawyer announced that his 'B' sample would be analysed as per WADA regulations, and he was later suspended from all cricket indefinitely by the PCB. He does have the right to appeal his suspension. On 11 February 2009, the IPL confirmed that Asif had tested positive for steroids and subsequently imposed a one year ban on him, ending on 21 September 2009.^[44] Shortly before the IPL's announcement, Muhammad Asif was released of his contract by the Delhi DareDevils.

Film career[link]

Asif was signed for his first acting role for a Bollywood film in 2010, however he was dropped due to the allegations against him.^[45] He was then replaced by Canadian actor Abbas Hasan in Mazhavillinattam Vare directed by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.^[46]

Personal life[link]

Public and media reports in Pakistan surfaced that Asif had married Pakistani actress and model, Veena Malik, on 28 May 2009, in a private ceremony in London.^[47] However, Veena Malik denied that the marriage had taken place.^[48]

In April 2010, Veena Malik filed a complaint against Asif claiming that he threatened to harm her if she did not stop pursuing her demand that he return the loan of around Rs 14 million he had taken from her.^[49] Later, she served a legal notice on Asif, after two cheques he gave her to settle the outstanding amount were bounced.

On 2 March 2010, Asif announced his engagement to Sania Hilal in Lahore.^[50] The couple wed on 1 October 2010, and Asif was reported as stating that he hoped marriage would change his life in a positive way. Attendees included Pakistan Test cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan^[51]

See also[link]

• List of cricketers banned for match fixing

References[link]

External links[link]

• Player Profile: Mohammad Asif from Cricinfo
• MohammadAsif.com
• Unofficial Mohammad Asif Fansite

v t e Pakistan squad – 2007 Cricket World Cup 1 Inzamam-ul-Haq (c) 2 Younis Khan 3 Azhar Mahmood 4 Danish Kaneria 5 Iftikhar Anjum 6 Imran Nazir 7 Kamran Akmal (wk) 8 Mohammad Hafeez 9 Mohammad Sami 10 Mohammad Yousuf 11 Rana Naved-ul-Hasan 12 Shahid Afridi 13 Shoaib Malik 14 Umar Gul 15 Yasir Arafat Coach: Woolmer Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Abdul Razzaq were named in the original squad but injuries led to them being withdrawn. Mushtaq Ahmed acted as temporary coach for Pakistan's final group game following the death of Bob Woolmer.

v t e Pakistan squad – 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Runners-Up 1 Salman Butt 2 Shahid Afridi 3 Imran Nazir 4 Shoaib Malik 5 Iftikhar Anjum 6 Misbah-ul-Haq 7 Kamran Akmal 8 Fawad Alam 9 Mohammad Asif 10 Yasir Arafat 11 Sohail Tanvir 12 Abdur Rehman 13 Umar Gul 14 Younis Khan 15 Mohammad Hafeez Coach: Geoff Lawson Shoaib Akhtar was replaced by Sohail Tanvir due to a dressing room incident before the tournament.

v t e Pakistan squad – 2010 ICC World Twenty20 Semi-Finalists 1 Shahid Afridi (c) 2 Abdul Razzaq 3 Abdur Rehman 4 Fawad Alam 5 Hammad Azam 6 Kamran Akmal (wk) 7 Khalid Latif 8 Misbah-ul-Haq 9 Mohammad Amir 10 Mohammad Asif 11 Mohammad Hafeez 12 Mohammad Sami 13 Saeed Ajmal 14 Salman Butt 15 Umar Akmal Coach: Waqar Younis Umar Gul and Yasir Arafat were named in the original squad but injuries led to them being withdrawn. Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Sami were sent as their replacements.

Shakib Al Hasan

Personal information
Full name	Shakib Al Hasan
Born	(1987-03-24) 24 March 1987 (age 25) Magura, Bangladesh
Batting style	Left handed
Bowling style	Slow left arm orthodox
Role	All rounder
International information
National side	Bangladesh
Test debut (cap 46)	18 May 2007 v India
Last Test	17 December 2011 v Pakistan
ODI debut (cap 81)	6 August 2006 v Zimbabwe
Last ODI	22 March 2012 v Pakistan
ODI shirt no.	75
T20I debut (cap 11)	28 November 2006 v Zimbabwe
Last T20I	21 December 2011 v Pakistan
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2004–present	Khulna Division
2010–2011	Worcestershire
2011–present	Kolkata Knight Riders
2012–present	Khulna Royal Bengals
Career statistics
Competition	Test	ODI	FC	LA
Matches	26	126	60	153
Runs scored	1,630	3,635	3,496	4,285
Batting average	34.68	35.63	34.61	33.74
100s/50s	2/9	5/25	5/19	5/30
Top score	144	134*	144	134*
Balls bowled	6,381	6,452	12,234	7,567
Wickets	96	160	192	189
Bowling average	31.36	28.85	29.30	28.40
5 wickets in innings	9	0	14	0
10 wickets in match	0	0	0	0
Best bowling	7/36	4/16	7/32	4/16
Catches/stumpings	9/–	35/–	30/–	46/–
Source: Cricinfo, 28 March 2012

Shakib Al Hasan (Bengali: সাকিব আল হাসান) (born 24 March 1987) is a Bangladeshi international cricketer. He is an all-rounder, batting left-handed in the middle order and bowling slow left-arm orthodox. He represented Bangladesh at under-19 level, 18 Youth One Day Internationals between 2005 and 2006. Shakib made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe in August 2006, and his Test debut the following May against India. During a match against New Zealand in 2008, Shakib took the best bowling figures by a Bangladesh player in Tests, 7 wickets for 37 runs. Until then, Shakib had been considered more of a batsman than a bowler, although still an all-rounder. From January 2009 to April 2011 and again in March 2012, Shakib was ranked first amongst ODI all-rounders by the ICC. In December 2011, he became the world's top-ranked Test all-rounder.

Shakib was appointed Bangladesh's vice-captain in June 2009 when Mashrafe Mortaza replaced Mohammad Ashraful as captain. During Bangladesh's tour of the West Indies the following month, Mortaza injured himself and Shakib took over the captaincy. He was 22 years old at the time. Initially a temporary position until the recovery of Mortaza, Shakib's success against the West Indies, securing his side's first overseas series win, ensured his retention of captaincy even after Mortaza's recovery. He was named The Wisden Cricketer's "Test Player of the Year" in November 2009. In July 2010, he stepped down from the ODI captaincy to concentrate on his personal performance. Mortaza took over until injury struck again and Shakib was asked to assume the role. Domestically he has represented Khulna Division since 2004, and in 2010 he spent several months playing for Worcestershire in England, becoming the first Bangladeshi player to represent an English county. For the 2011 Indian Premier League, Shakib was contracted by Kolkata Knight Riders. In the 2012 Bangladesh Premier League, he played for Khulna Royal Bengals. He was relieved of captaincy in September 2011.

Early years and youth cricket[link]

According to Prothom Alo sports editor Utpal Shuvro, Shakib "was fairly proficient [at cricket] and was often hired to play for different villages".^[1] In one of these matches Shakib impressed an umpire who arranged for him to practice with the Islampur Para Club, a team in the Magura Cricket League. During the practice session, Shakib batted aggressively and bowled fast, as he usually did, but also chose to experiment with spin bowling which proved to be effective. He was picked to play for Islampur and took a wicket with his first ball; it was his first delivery with a proper cricket ball, having previously generally played with a taped tennis ball. He spent six months training at Bangladesh Krira Shiksha Pratisthan,^[1] a government-run sports institute.^[2]

In 2005, during the final of a tri-nation tournament involving England and Sri Lanka's Under-19 teams, Shakib scored an 86-ball century and took three wickets to lead his team to victory.^[3] Between 2005 and 2006, Shakib played 18 youth One Day Internationals; he scored 563 runs at an average of 35.18, and took 22 wickets at an average of 20.18.^[4]

International breakthrough (2006–2008)[link]

Shakib was included in Bangladesh's senior squad to tour Zimbabwe in 2006. Along with Farhad Reza and Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib was one of the three uncapped players to be included in the squad.^[5] Shakib and Reza were described as "very good cricketers in all departments of the game", and Faruq Ahmed – the chief selector – said that Bangladesh had "high hopes from them and it's time for them to perform at the international level".^[6] Shakib made his ODI debut on the tour on 6 August; his maiden wicket was that of all-rounder Elton Chigumbura, and he finished with bowling figures of 1/39. He also scored 30 not out while Shahriar Nafees scored his maiden ODI century to help Bangladesh win by eight wickets. It was the final match in the series, which Zimbabwe won 3–2.^[7] In September 2006, Shakib was one of three players to be granted a rookie contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), along with Farhad Reza and Mehrab Hossain Jr. This increased the number of players with central contracts and under the control of the BCB from 20 to 23.^[8]

The West Indies hosted the 2007 Cricket World Cup in March and April; Shakib was included in the 15-man squad led by Habibul Bashar.^[9] Bangladesh made it to the second stage of the competition and finished seventh.^[10] Along the way the team caused an upset by beating India to help knock them out of the tournament. With Tamim Iqbal in just his fifth ODI and Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib was one of three Bangladesh batsmen in the match to score a half century to help the team reach its target of 192 to win.^[11] Later in the tournament, Shakib scored another half-century although Bangladesh were defeated by England on that very occasion.^[12] With 202 runs from nine matches at an average of 28.85, Shakib was Bangladesh's second-highest run-scorer in the tournament behind Mohammad Ashraful (216);^[13] he also took seven wickets at an average of 43.14.^[14]

Later that year, in May, India toured Bangladesh for two Tests and three ODIs. On 18 May, Shakib made his Test debut against India. He batted once, scoring 27 runs, and bowled 13 overs without taking a wicket as the match ended in a draw.^[15] India won the Test series 1–0 and the ODI series 3–0. After the tour, Dav Whatmore resigned from his position as Bangladesh coach,^[16] and batsman Mohammad Ashraful replaced Habibul Bashar as captain.^[17] In September 2007, South Africa hosted the ICC World Twenty20. Victory against West Indies in the first round was enough to ensure Bangladesh's progression to the second round, although it was the only one of their five matches they won. In the match against West Indies, Shakib took 4/34; it was the first time a Bangladesh player had taken more than three wickets in an International Twenty20 match (T20I).^[18] Shakib was part of another piece of T20I history when in a match against Australia in the tournament he became one of three victims of the first T20I hat-trick. Brett Lee took Shakib's wicket, followed by those of Mortaza's and Alok Kapali to help Australia to a nine-wicket win.^[19] In October that year, it was announced that Jamie Siddons – Australia's assistant coach – would take over the role of Bangladesh coach;^[20] Siddons asserted that the previous set-up had focused on short-term goals and that he was planning to improve Bangladesh over the long term and keep together a core squad of talented players to gain experience at international level.^[21]

In December 2007 and January 2008, Bangladesh toured New Zealand for two Tests and three ODIs. Although he did not play the first Test, Shakib was selected over Enamul Haque Jr for the second due to his better batting ability.^[22] It was Shakib's fourth Test, and until that point he had gone wicketless. His first wicket was that of New Zealand's Craig Cumming.^[23][24] New Zealand won by an innings and 137 runs and took the series 2–0.^[22] New Zealand also completed a clean sweep in the ODIs which preceded the Tests, winning 3–0.^[25] Shakib played in all three ODIs scoring 31 runs at an average of 10.33,^[26] and taking 3 wickets at an average of 42.33.^[27] Over February and March 2008 South Africa toured Bangladesh, playing two Tests and three ODIs. South Africa won both Tests.^[28] Shakib played in both Bangladesh's defeats, taking just one wicket while conceding 122 runs,^[29] and scoring 75 runs.^[30] South Africa won the subsequent ODI series 3–0.^[31] Shakib passed 1,000 ODI runs in the series; he passed the landmark in his 39th ODI with a batting average of 35.37.^[32]

Becoming Bangladesh's leading all-rounder (2008–2009)[link]

Before New Zealand's tour of Bangladesh in October 2008, Shakib was considered more of a batsman than a bowler, despite being an all-rounder. Though he usually batted down the order at number seven in Tests, he had mostly batted in the top five in ODIs. In a departure from Shakib's usual role Jamie Siddons, the coach, stated that Shakib would play the Test series against New Zealand as a specialist bowler. The move immediately paid off, and he took 7/37 in New Zealand's first innings in the opening Test. They were the best bowling figures by a Bangladesh player in Tests.^[1] Bangladesh lost the series 2–0, but Shakib finished as Bangladesh's leading wicket-taker in the series with 10 wickets at 17.80.^[33] Bangladesh won the opening match of the ODI series against New Zealand – securing their first ever ODI win over them^[34] – although they eventually lost the series 2–1.^[35] Shakib finished with five wickets from three matches, making him Bangladesh's second-highest wicket-taker for the series behind Mashrafe Mortaza (7);^[36] however Shakib scored just 16 runs in the series.^[37]

The following month, Bangladesh toured South Africa for two Tests, three ODIs, and a T20I. While Bangladesh lost all their matches against South Africa except for an abandoned ODI,^[38] Shakib continued to build on the good bowling form he had found against New Zealand. On the first day of the opening Test, Shakib went wicketless; on the advice of Mohammad Salauddin, Bangladesh's assistant coach, he gave the ball flight on the second day and went on to take five wickets. He took another five-wicket haul in the second Test, again as Bangladesh lost to South Africa.^[1] Along with South Africa's Makhaya Ntini, Shakib was the series' leading wicket-taker with 11 at an average of 20.81.^[39] Shakib's performance against South Africa in a losing cause prompted former Australian leg spin bowler Kerry O'Keefe to describe him as the "world's best finger spinner at the moment".^[1] Sri Lanka toured Bangladesh in December 2008 and January 2009 for two Tests and a tri-nation tournament including Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka won both Tests and the tournament final,^[40] although Shakib turned in a man of the match performance, scoring 92 not out, in the second ODI against Sri Lanka helped Bangladesh to their only victory against them on the tour.^[41] In the first match of the Test series, Shakib took another five-wicket haul as his team again was defeated.^[1]

On 22 January 2009 Shakib was ranked first amongst ODI all-rounders by the ICC.^[42] Although he was part of the auction of players held the following month for the 2009 Indian Premier League, Shakib was not chosen by any of the eight teams and no bids were made for him. This was despite being rated as the world's highest ranked ODI all-rounder at the time. Fellow team-mate Mashrafe Mortaza, who was bought in the auction, said "I would have been a lot happier if Shakib had got a team because he truly deserved it for his sensational form with the bat and ball".^[43]

Vice-captaincy (2009)[link]

Shakib was appointed Bangladesh's vice-captain in June 2009.

At the beginning of 2009, there was speculation over Mohammad Ashraful's position as captain after a succession of defeats for Bangladesh and a run of poor form for Ashraful. Shakib was considered a possible successor by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). However, the BCB was cautious of over-burdening the all-rounder and decided against the move. Other candidates were discounted, and Ashraful remained as captain.^[44] Later in 2009, Ashraful's captaincy was again under scrutiny after Bangladesh exited the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in the first round following losses to Ireland and India. When Mashrafe Mortaza replaced Mohammad Ashraful in June 2009, Shakib was appointed vice-captain, filling the position vacated by Mortaza.^[45]

In July–August 2009, Bangladesh toured the West Indies. When Mortaza injured his knee in the first Test, he was unable to take to the field on the final day and Shakib took over as captain. He and Mahmudullah led Bangladesh's bowling attack, sharing 13 wickets in the match and securing a historic win for Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first against the West Indies, their first overseas Test victory, and only their second Test win.^[46][47] The West Indies side was very inexperienced due to the fallout of a dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players' Association over pay. The first XI had made themselves unavailable for selection and a new squad had to be chosen. Seven West Indies players made their Test debut in the match and the side was captained by Floyd Reifer who had played the last of his four Tests ten years earlier.^[48] Shakib was fined 10% of his match fee for excessive appealing; bowler Shahadat Hossain was also fined and batsman Imrul Kayes was reprimanded for the same reason.^[49]

Captaincy (2009–2011)[link]

West Indies[link]

In Mortaza's absence through injury, Shakib led Bangladesh for the remainder of the tour.^[50][51] Aged 22 years and 115 days at the start of the second Test, Shakib became Bangladesh's youngest captain and fifth youngest in the history of Test cricket.^[52] Under Shakib's leadership Bangladesh went on to win the second Test, and in the process secured their first overseas series win.^[53] Individually Shakib performed well, earning both the player-of-the-match and player-of-the-series awards, scoring 16 and 96 not out with the bat and taking 3/59 and 5/70 with the ball.^[54] He scored 159 runs in the series at an average of 53.00 and was Bangladesh's second highest run-scorer for the series;^[55] his haul of 13 wickets at an average of 18.76 from both matches meant Shakib was the equal highest wicket-taker for the series along with West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach.^[56] After winning the Test series 2–0, Bangladesh proceeded to whitewash the ODI series, winning 3–0. The West Indies' dispute remained unsolved for the whole of Bangladesh's tour and the West Indies continued to field an inexperienced side.^[51] Shakib collected two half centuries in the ODI series, averaging 45.00, and was the third highest run-scorer in the series;^[57] he also took 2 wickets at an average of 48.00.^[58] For his performance in the ODIs, Shakib was named the man of the series.^[59]

Zimbabwe[link]

Shakib was appointed captain for Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe in August 2009 as Mortaza was still injured.^[51] In the second ODI of the five match series in Zimbabwe in August 2009, Shakib scored 104 off only 64 balls before being run-out – his third ODI century – to help his team to their highest score in ODIs and lead Bangladesh to a 2–0 lead in the series.^[60] He finished the series with 170 runs from five matches at an average of 42.50 – fifth highest run-scorer^[61] – and 6 wickets an average of 39.66, fourth highest wicket-taker in the series.^[62] Following his team's 4–1 victory in the ODI series against Zimbabwe, Shakib travelled to Australia to undergo medical treatment for acute groin pain. He had been experiencing pain since the end of the West Indies tour, but he had decided to play through the pain and lead Bangladesh in Zimbabwe.^[63] Although he did not win, Shakib was nominated Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year in the 2009 ICC Awards; he was the only Bangladesh player to be nominated in either category that year.^[64][65]

Shakib's success meant that it was not a given that Mortaza would replace him as captain once fit,^[51] but it was announced in September 2009 that Mortaza would return as captain for Bangladesh's home ODI series against Zimbabwe the following month and Shakib would return to the role of vice-captain.^[66] However, Mortaza failed to return from arthroscopic surgery on both knees in time for the series, and Shakib was again named captain.^[67] After losing the opening match – in which Shakib criticised the performance of Bangladesh's batsmen including himself^[68] – Bangladesh went on to win the series 4–1.^[69] In the second match of the series, Shakib passed 2,000 runs in ODIs.^[32] In November 2009, Shakib was named The Wisden Cricketer's "Test Player of the Year".^[70]

England and the Asia Cup[link]

Shakib in the field against England during the second ODI, shortly after relinquishing the captaincy.

Over February and March 2010 England toured Bangladesh for two Tests and three ODIs. England won all of their matches against Bangladesh.^[71] Shakib was Bangladesh's leading wicket-taker in both the Test and ODI series (9 wickets in Tests and 5 in ODIs).^[72][73] In the second Test, Shakib scored 49 and 96, and took 4/124 from 66 overs. Both Tests went to the final day and Shakib expressed the opinion that the experience had exhausted his side.^[74] The match was also a source of controversy after incorrect umpiring decisions on the third day went against Bangladesh, prompting Shakib to blame the lack of a referral system for some of the team's misfortune.^[75] In turn, Bangladesh toured England in May and July the same year. They again lost the Test series 2–0.^[76] Shakib finished as his team's leading wicket-taker with eight wickets,^[77] although he only scored 52 runs.^[78] Before the ODI series, Bangladesh left England for Sri Lanka, which was hosting the 2010 Asia Cup in June. Bangladesh lost all three of their matches.^[79] With five wickets, Shakib was Bangladesh's lead wicket-taker with Shafiul Islam (5 each).^[80]

As he was struggling to cope with the captaincy and his role as an all-rounder, Shakib gave up the captaincy in July 2010 to focus on his own performance. Mashrafe Mortaza returned to take charge in ODIs. Coach Jamie Siddons explained that "Shakib was the main person behind the decision, he decided it was a bit much for him. His form was down with the bat and he needed a rest."^[81] Bangladesh returned to England for the ODI half of their tour. Bangladesh lost the series 2–1,^[76] but their victory in the second match was the first time Bangladesh had beaten England in international cricket.^[82] While in Europe, Bangladesh were scheduled to play two ODIs against Ireland, and one each against Scotland and Netherlands. The match against Scotland was abandoned and Bangladesh lost one match to each of Ireland and the Netherlands.^[76]

Having signed a contract in November 2009,^[83] Shakib joined up with Worcestershire County Cricket Club, playing the second division of the County Championship, in July 2010. He was the first Bangladeshi to represent a county side.^[83] While playing for Worcestershire he took his best first-class bowling figures of 7/32 against Middlesex. In eight first-class matches he scored 358 runs at 25.57 (with one score over 50)^[84] and took 35 wickets at 22.37,^[85] as Worcestershire secured promotion to the first division at the end of the season.^[86] Shakib also played five one-day matches for Worcestershie, scoring 187 at an average of 37.40 (including two half-centuries)^[87] and taking 9 wickets at 17.77.^[88]

New Zealand and Zimbabwe[link]

In October 2010, New Zealand went to Bangladesh for five ODIs. In the first match of the series Mortaza injured his ankle and was forced to leave the field; Shakib took over, and under his leadership Bangladesh secured a nine-run victory, during which Shakib took four wickets and scored 58. Once it emerged that Mortaza would be unable to play in the rest of the series, Shakib was made captain for the remaining matches.^[89] In the fourth match, Shakib scored a century and took three wickets to help his team win by nine runs.^[90] Bangladesh went on to win the series 4–0,^[91] their first series victory against a full strength ICC Full Member nation.^[90] Shakib finished the series as the player with most runs and wickets on either side: 213 runs^[92] and 11 wickets.^[93]

Although Mortaza returned from injury in time for Zimbabwe's tour of Bangladesh in December, Shakib was retained as captain for the five-match ODI series.^[94] Following his side's defeat in the opening ODI, Shakib stated that he "was not prepared to take the job and I am also not satisfied with my role as a captain".^[95] Bangladesh went on to win the next three complete matches, with one called off due to rain, to beat Zimbabwe 3–1.^[96] Shakib was Bangladesh's second-highest run-scorer and wicket taker for the series with 156 runs, including two half centuries, and nine wickets.^[97][98]

Towards the end of captaincy[link]

In February to March April 2011, Bangladesh co-hosted the World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. West Indies dismissed Bangladesh for 58 runs, the team's lowest score in ODIs and a record low for a Full Member at the World Cup.^[103] Shakib's house was stoned by angry fans in the aftermath,^[104] as was the West Indies team bus as it left the ground.^[105] Bangladesh registered wins against England, Ireland and the Netherlands, but defeats by West Indies, India and South Africa meant they did not progress beyond the first round of the tournament.^[106] With 8 wickets at an average of 27.87, Shakib was Bangladesh's lead wicket-taker in the tournament,^[107] and his 142 runs from 6 innings made him the team's third highest run-scorer.^[108]

Shortly after the World Cup, Australia toured Bangladesh for three ODIs. In the first match of the series, Shakib scored 51 to pass 3,000 runs in ODIs.^[32] Bangladesh lost the series 3–0,^[109] Shakib scored 69 runs in three matches^[110] and took just one wicket whilst conceding 117 runs.^[111] Shane Watson's performances in the series meant he was ranked first amongst ODI all-rounders, claiming the position from Shakib.^[112] For the 2011 Indian Premier League, held in April and May, Shakib was contracted by Kolkata Knight Riders for US$425,000.^[113] He made his debut in the tournament on 15 April in a match against Rajasthan Royals. He claimed two wickets in the match, first that of Amit Paunikar and then Shane Watson, and was not called on to bat as his team won by nine wickets.^[114] KKR were knocked out in the semi-finals of the competition;^[115] Shakib played in seven matches, taking 11 wickets at an average of 15.90 and finished as KKR's third-highest wicket-taker.^[116] After the IPL, Shakib returned to Worcestershire for seven weeks. He played a single County Championship match as his time with the team coincided with the 2011 Friends Life t20,^[117][118] but in that match he took seven wickets and passed 3,000 runs in first-class cricket.^[119] Worcestershire finished fifth out of nine teams in their group for the t20 competition, failing to qualify for the quarter-finals.^[120] From 12 matches Shakib took 19 wickets, finishing as the club's leading wicket-taker, equal with seam bowler Gareth Andrew.^[121]

When Bangladesh toured Zimbabwe in August 2011 they were expected to win the one-off Test, which was Zimbabwe's first in five years, and the five-match ODI series. As it transpired Bangladesh lost the ODI series 3–2 and the Test. Shakib and his vice-captain, Tamim Iqbal, were sacked with a BCB official citing unsatisfactory leadership.^[122]

Post-captaincy (2011–present)[link]

Bangladesh's first series under new leadership was against the West Indies in October 2011. Relieved of the captaincy, Shakib was Bangladesh's leading wicket-taker in both the ODI and Test series,^[123][124] His bowling was backed up by 168 runs in the two Tests (of the Bangladesh players, only Tamim Iqbal scored more),^[125] and 79 from two innings in the ODIs.^[126] Bangladesh lost both series.^[127] Following this, Shakib was Bangladesh's top run-scorer and wicket-taker in the home Test series against Pakistan in December 2011.^[128][129] In the second Test of the series, he became Bangladesh's first player to score a century (his highest score, 144) and take five wickets in an innings in the same Test.^[130] After the series he moved to first place in the ICC's ranking of Test all-rounders.^[131]

The Bangladesh Cricket Board founded the six-team Bangladesh Premier League in 2012, a twenty20 tournament to be held in February that year. The BCB made Shakib the 'icon player' for Khulna Royal Bengals.^[132] Under his captaincy, Shakib's team progressed to the semi-finals of the competition where they were beaten by Dhaka Gladiators.^[133] In ten matches he scored 280 runs and took 15 wickets, which make him KRB's leading wicket-taker, and was named Man of the Tournament.^[134][135]

Soon after the BPL finished, Bangladesh hosted the 2012 Asia Cup featuring India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In four matches Shakib scored 237 runs including three half-centuries and took six wickets. Bangladesh progressed to the final of the tournament for the first time where they lost to Pakistan by two runs. Shakib's performance saw him named Player of the Tournament and reclaim the number 1 ODI all-rounder ranking from Australia's Shane Watson.^{[136][137][138]}.

On april 13 he won the Man of the Match award vs Rajasthan Royals In the 2012 Indian Premier League as a member of his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, making him the first Bangladeshi to win the award in this tournament.^[139]

Records and statistics[link]

Test performance

		Batting[140]				Bowling[141]
Opposition	Matches	Runs	Average	High Score	100/50	Runs	Wickets	Average	Best
England	4	202	25.25	96	0/1	628	17	36.94	5/121
India	4	147	21.00	34	0/0	383	9	42.55	5/62
New Zealand	4	358	59.66	100	1/2	355	13	27.30	7/36
Pakistan	2	209	52.25	144	1/1	250	7	35.71	6/89
South Africa	4	121	15.12	40	0/0	351	12	29.25	6/99
Sri Lanka	3	192	32.00	96	0/1	449	11	40.81	5/70
West Indies	4	327	54.50	96*	0/3	473	23	20.56	5/70
Zimbabwe	1	74	37.00	68	0/1	122	4	30.50	3/62
Overall	26	1,630	34.68	144	2/9	3,011	96	31.36	7/36

ODI performance

		Batting[142]				Bowling[143]
Opposition	Matches	Runs	Average	High Score	100 / 50	Runs	Wickets	Average	Best
Australia	7	147	21.00	51	0/1	240	5	48.00	2/38
Bermuda	2	68	–	42*	0/0	48	3	16.00	2/12
Canada	1	134	–	134*	1/0	36	2	18.00	2/36
England	8	180	25.71	57*	0/1	337	11	30.63	3/32
India	8	304	38.00	85	0/4	403	7	57.57	2/43
Ireland	7	111	22.20	50	0/1	245	11	22.27	2/16
Kenya	3	58	29.00	25*	0/0	86	3	28.66	2/32
Netherlands	2	16	8.00	15	0/0	74	3	28.66	2/36
New Zealand	14	329	27.41	106	1/1	534	24	22.25	4/33
Pakistan	11	407	37.00	108	1/3	460	15	30.66	2/39
Scotland	2	64	64.00	44	0/0	21	2	10.50	1/8
South Africa	7	177	25.28	52	0/2	314	7	44.85	2/46
Sri Lanka	11	313	34.77	92*	0/3	386	7	55.14	2/22
West Indies	9	222	31.71	67*	0/3	243	9	27.00	4/16
Zimbabwe	34	1,105	46.04	105*	2/6	1,190	51	23.33	4/39
Overall	126	3,635	35.63	134*	5/25	4,617	160	28.85	4/16

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shakib Al Hasan

• Player profile: Shakib Al Hasan from CricketArchive
• Player profile: Shakib Al Hasan from ESPNcricinfo

v t e Bangladesh squad – 2007 Cricket World Cup 2 Mashrafe Mortaza 5 Javed Omar 7 Habibul Bashar (c) 15 Mushfiqur Rahim (w) 19 Tapash Baisya 29 Tamim Iqbal 35 Rajin Saleh 41 Abdur Razzak 42 Shahriar Nafees 47 Syed Rasel 59 Shahadat Hossain 75 Shakib Al Hasan 76 Farhad Reza 77 Mohammad Rafique 97 Aftab Ahmed 98 Mohammad Ashraful Coach: Whatmore